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2020 RI Spring Team Preview - Coventry

COVENTRY, R.I. - Youth a year ago has turned into experience. Coventry head coach Leo Bush is hoping that translates into more success on the field in 2020.

“Our record last year didn’t reflect where we were,” explained Bush, whose squad finished 9-11 in 2019. “We were victims of a lot of one-run games when we were not getting that key hit.”

Catcher Jake Organ and second baseman Jamie Donahue are key losses from that team, but a solid core of returnees - including a pair of right-handed pitchers committed to play at the next level - bring optimism to Bush.

“Pitching and defense will be our strength,” explained the 20th-year head coach. “Our experience is something that can help us improve. We have a lot of juniors and seniors on the roster that played a lot as freshmen and sophomores.”

Senior Loren Vaughn and junior Jayden Voelker are back to lead the pitching staff.

“We have a big part of the engine back this year with both of our key starters on the mound,” Bush said.

Vaughn, a Coast Guard Academy signee who plays center field when not pitching, was 4-2 with a 1.56 ERA last season. Voelker, an Old Dominion commit who also plays first base, finished 3-5 with a 2.29 ERA.

“The five losses were not indicative of how he pitched,” Bush said of Voelker, who led last year’s squad in doubles with six, home runs with three, runs scored with 13 and RBIs with 17.

Junior Jason Serapigila, who was 1-0 with a 1.24 ERA in six appearances, adds depth to a staff with junior Will Turner also expected to see innings after pitching in two games a year ago.

Turner, a left fielder, led Coventry in hitting last year with a .340 average with junior Nick Fuentes, “Mr Everything in terms of versatility” according to Bush, returning to likely play a corner infield position.

Another  junior, Matthew Durkin, batted .250 last season and is back to play middle infield. Serapiglia, is a utility infielder in addition to pitcher and can also catch, a position that brings concerns to Bush.

“We have got to fill the gaps due to graduation at the catcher and second base positions,” Bush noted. “Those guys provided some stability for us the last two seasons, so those are pretty sizeable holes for sure.”

Junior Sean Lozier and sophomore Jared Vadeboncoeur are battling to start at catcher.

An injury means Devyn Vezina will not be able to pitch in 2020, but the junior, who started three games on the mound last season and hit .333, will be able to help in the field at third base and outfield.

“We’re looking to get our pitchers runs,” Bush related. “If we do that we’re going to be good. Last year we were missing one big hit from the right guy.”

Coventry reached the second round of the playoffs in 2019 before being eliminated 1-0 by eventual state champion Bishop Hendricken, a team that the Oakers beat a year prior to reach the state finals.

“That timely hit will be the key,” Bush said in looking ahead to the season. “I feel our starting pitching will always give us a chance, we’ve just got to provide them with run support.”

Bush feels the possibilities of success are strong.

“I like the fact that some of our guys are going to have a chip on their shoulders the way last season ended,” Bush noted. “It’s never easy after a walk-off loss. We have a pretty dedicated group of guys that will take that personally.”